Veteran Finnish guitarist returns with new special guest record
By Luiz Athayde
To comment on the importance of Finnish guitarist, composer and singer Timo Tolkki for the power metal scene is to get wet.
Timo Tolkki (Photo: Divulgação)
Computing 13 years since the departure of his main creation and that catapulted him into the universe of this metal subgenre, Stratovarius, his resume has not stopped growing, even with his mental health problems as a barrier and, most importantly, bringing new things into his discography.
It is true that those who do not like his work very much accuse him of always being guided by more of the same, as if they were only his famous ex-band but with another name. And those who know his work in depth know that this is not so. See Timo Tolkki’s Avalon, which now has its fourth release, also by the Frontiers Records stamp: The Enigma Birth.
As well as the previous albums, this one is full of special participations, both new vocal talents, such as the Brazilian or “Bruce Dickinson emulator” Raphael Mendes (his resemblance to the Iron Maiden voice is uncanny), Norwegian singer and actor PelleK Åsly, Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers), Marina La Torraca (Exit Eden, Phantim Elite), Caterina Nix, Jake E (Amaranthe) and old timers James LaBrie (Dream Theater) and Fabio Lione (Angra, Turilli / Lione Rhapsody, Eternal Idol).
The line-up also includes some of the best in the business: drummer Marco Lazzarini and keyboardist Antonio Agate, both from Secret Sphere, and bassist Andrea Arcengeli.
The title track, which even opens the portal, gives a false impression that there will be a part 2 of the classic Episode (Stratovarius’ 1996 album) or something from the supergroup Symfonia (with the late André Matos). What follows is a proper variant of power metal and hard rock very much along the lines of Frontiers, i.e., a pedestrian dish for those who are familiar with compositions of this kind.
The raft of “feats,” as trivial as they are, only helped the album not to become one more dull piece among so many that are released by the minute. Of course some highlights are present like the hard “I Just Collapse”, the single more than obvious for its weight and dynamism “Beautiful Lie”, where LaBrie shines, and “Beauty and War”, showing why Mendes was summoned.
Anyway, The Enigma Birth is what is expected from a musician who has decades on the road and who has settled on a specific metal path, with intense moments the way the style asks for, without leaving the double bass modus operandi. In short, if you want something innovative, run away. Now, if you like the usual Timo Tolkki, but bringing a few more spices, press play without the slightest fear.
Listen to the full album on Spotify: